Health Care Science

Program Overview

The Health Care Science Technical Certificate of Credit is a program that provides academic foundations at the degree level in communications, mathematics, and human relations, as well as health care technical fundamentals. Program graduates are trained in the underlying fundamentals of health care delivery including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Infection Control/ Blood-borne Pathogens, Vital Signs and Basic emergency care/first aid and triage. These graduates are well prepared for employment as health care support workers and subsequent upward mobility.

This program also provides foundational academic preparation for students opting to apply for admission into certain allied health associate degree programs and serves as a pathway into the following associate degree programs of study: Associate Degree in Nursing; Dental Hygiene, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology. These associate degree programs have additional rigorous general education and science core courses. For program entry, a highly competitive admission process is required.

Employment for Healthcare support workers is expected to increase by 17% in the state of Georgia, and nationwide to increase by 15% from 2008 to 2018. Healthcare support workers are employed in medical and surgical centers, nursing homes, medical laboratories, out patient clinics of chiropractors, dentists, physical therapists, psychologists, hospitals, health care centers and the offices of physicians. They perform front office duties, direct patient interactions as permitted by licensure boards. Postsecondary educational training in healthcare is increasing in importance for job acquisition. Occupations in those settings include, but not limited to, patient access representative, supply distribution technician, equipment technician, unit clerk, and transporter/escort service clerk.

Health Concentration for Specific Pathways:

Students using the Health Care Science as a pathway to apply for admission into the following Associate degree programs will need to complete additional general and program-required courses. Please contact the appropriate Program Advisor for specific advisement.

Entrance Requirements

Completion of high school diploma or GED and submission of official transcripts required to apply;

Official high school or GED transcripts and/ or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past; transfer of previous post-secondary credits will be determined by the registrar.

Achievement of minimum program admission scores in Reading, English and Math;

Transfer of previous post-secondary credits will be determined by the registrar. A grade of "C" or better has been earned for each course to be transferred.

Science and Math courses must have been taken in within five years of the date of the transfer request.

For students using the Healthcare Science as a foundation and pathway to apply to the above mentioned associate degree, please note that those programs have a minimum requirement of a "B" grade in the credits that will be transferred.

Blood and Airborne Pathogens:

Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens. These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information.

Course Overview

Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.

Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.

Explores the philosophic and artistic heritage of humanity expressed through a historical perspective on visual arts, music, and literature. The humanities provide insight into people and society. Topics include historical and cultural developments, contributions of the humanities, and research.

Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.

Introduces the student to the fundamentals of oral communication. Topics include selection and organization of materials, preparation and delivery of individual and group presentations, analysis of ideas presented by others, and professionalism.

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

Introduces the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the development of a systemic perspective of anatomical structures and physiological processes. Topics include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous and sensory systems.